The Suhum Community Development Vocational and Technical Institute (SUVOTECH) on Friday, July 26 held its 9th graduation ceremony in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region.

A total of 112 students who undertook a 3-year training program in Catering, Fashion Design, Electrical Installation, Beadwork, Interior Decoration, Secretaryship, Hairdressing, and Auto-mechanic, successfully passed out.

Mr. Paul Avorkah, the National Coordinator of the Alternative Livelihood Program speaking on the theme; "Vocational and Technical Education; providing sustainable livelihood", appealed to the Department of Community Development and the Ministry of Local Government to assist and provide the graduands with the necessary support to be able to start their own businesses.

Madam Edith Adabadze, Principal of the Institution congratulated the graduands and labelled the role vocational and technical experts have made in all spheres of life which according to her, are indispensable.

"The academic performance of the students is highly good but their attitude towards learning is not encouraging due to the notion that; it is the less clever students who attend these institutions, but this doubt must be cleared because the total development of the nation cannot be accomplished without the contributions of vocational and technical education" She added.

Mrs. Edith also encouraged the graduands to establish their own enterprises and practice the skills they have acquired to make self-reliant in the future.

She, therefore, plead with the Government through the Department of Community Development on behalf of the institution to repackage Vocational and Technical Education in the country to make it more attractive by providing the necessary teaching and learning materials such as furniture, adequate classrooms and other infrastructure to make education well enhancing.

Mr. C.K Dondieu, a Local Governance Expert lamented that, the perception of people who thinks vocational and technical education is meant only for people who cannot make better grades, should have a rethink.

He noted that "under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Vocational and Technical Education has been transformed".